Investigations & settlements: Effectiveness and rights of defence before the Competition Authority
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Stanislas Martin
French Competition Authority (Paris)
General Rapporteur
Specialised in French and European competition law, particularly mergers and State aids, as well as European corporate law, European law on free movement of capital and on the right of establishment. Experienced in legislative procedures at the European Community and French level. He has published various articles on European and French competition law and policy. Stanislas is Rapporteur General at the French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence). Before that, Stanislas was Director Regulation and Security at the French Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry, General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) (2009-2017), Deputy Rapporteur General at the French Competition authority (Autorité de la concurrence), lawyer with Clifford Chance as Of Counsel (2005-2009), and Deputy Finance Counsellor at Permanent Representation of France to the EU (2004-2005). He was previously head of Merger and Sate aid Unit at DGCCRF (1999-2004).
Linked authors
Christophe Strassel
French Delegation before the EU
Alain Alexis
DG COMP (Brussels)
Vincent Verouden
E.CA Economics (Brussels)
Nadia Calvino
European Commission - DG BUDG
Thomas Guérin
French Competition Authority (Paris)
Laurence Idot
University Paris II Panthéon‑Assas
Bruno Lasserre
French State Council (Paris)
Frédéric Jenny
ESSEC Business School (Cergy)
27951 | Conferences
Investigations & settlements: Effectiveness and rights of defence before the Competition Authority
See documents
Articles
85007 Bulletin
2050
The operation In this case, the Minister cleared the acquisition of Somy and Zurflüh-Feller with remedies. Both companies are manufacturing components for shutters, with strong market shares, but small horizontal overlaps, each company being specialised in different components. The market(s) (...)
2004
The operation In this case, the Minister cleared the acquisition of Vivarte and Supersport with remedies. Both companies are retailers of shoe, clothes and sport equipments. The market(s) The relevant markets were the retail market of low-cost clothes and the retail market of low-cost shoe. (...)
2087
The operation In this case, the Minister cleared the acquisition of Vivarte and Défi Sport with remedies. Both companies are retailers of clothes. The market(s) The relevant market is the retail market of low-cost clothes. The geographic dimension of the market is local. Remedy 1 Divestment (...)
3028
The operation Through this transaction, Delachaux acquired the sole control of Pandrol. Both companies were active in the rail fastening sector. The market(s) The product market was the rail fastening devices. On this market, different technologies may be used, each technology being (...)
1779
The operation The Experian company Acquired the document and cheque processing business of Atos. The market The relevant market has been defined as the cheque processing market. Remedy 1: Unenforceability of the non-competition clause The Minister noted that the transaction would lead to (...)
1783
The operation Through this transaction, Lamberet acquired the sole control of Chereau. Both companies offered a range of industrial vehicles specially designed for cold transport. The market(s) concerned by remedy(ies) The Minister assessed the effects of the merger in relation to the (...)
1936
The operation By way of a letter dated 1 october 2003, the French Minister of Economy approved the acquisition of Dubois Materiaux by Point P, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain. The market(s) The relevant market was considered to be the wholesale supply of building materials, which can be further (...)
3199
The operation In the case at hand, Vivendi Universal Publishing sold its entire equity interest in Comareg to France Antilles. Following the opinion given by the competition council, the Minister cleared the merger subject to structural and behavioral remedies. The market(s) The markets (...)
1945
The operation The French Minister of Economy clears a concentration by which the undertaking Leroy Merlin acquires sole control of OBI. The market(s) The sector involved in the present concentration is the retail trade and procurement of DIY products. The market was further sub-segmented (...)
1798
The operation The Minister authorized the merger between Ardi, a building material wholesaler, and Point P, a subsidiary of Saint Gobain. The market The Minister assessed the relevant market for retailing of building products on a product by product basis and focused his analysis on the (...)
3224
The operation Mr Bricolage acquired sole control of Tabur. Both parties were active in the distribution of DIY products, notably through integrated networks and franchises. The market concerned The market involved is the retail of DIY products through specialized superstores. Remedy: (...)
1783
The operation By a letter dated of 20 September 2000, the Minister reached a decision of clearance, in which he authorised the acquisition of two goups, Pressor and Galicier, by Midcap following the commitments offered by the parties to remove competition concerns raised by the merger. The (...)
3426
The operation The Minister clears the acquisition between CGST and Domoservices in phase 1. The market(s) The market has been defined as the market for supply of technical services for gas equipments to individual customers. Remedy 1: Vertical concerns The Minister believed that the (...)
1744
The operation In this case, the Minister cleared the acquisition of CGF-Gallet by MSA-Gallet with remedies. Both companies are manufacturer and provider of protection equipments of individuals including respiratory protection equipments, helmets and accessories. The market(s) The relevant (...)
1688
The operation The Minister granted conditional clearance to a merger between Panzani and Lustucru, which respectively held the first and the third position on the market for pasta. The market(s) concerned The relevant markets have been defined as the markets of dry and fresh pastas. Remedy (...)
2370
The operation In this operation, France Telecom, through its subsidiary TDF, will acquire the terrestrial broadcasting sites owned by Bouygtel. The market(s) The markets involved are the site location and maintenance for wireless communication operators. Remedy 1: Non discriminatory (...)
2038
The operation By the present transaction, Pathe will acquire the sole control of Gaumont. Both parties are producers, distributors and cinema operators. The market(s) The markets have been defined as (i) the movie distribution and (ii) the operating of movie theatres. Remedy 1: Divesture (...)
2074
The operation By the present transaction, Galerie Lafayette SA ("GL"), which is active in the retail sector throughout several department stores and the Monoprix chain, acquires the 18 French stores of Marks & Spencer. It should be noted that the transfer of assets is limited to the (...)
2647
The operation In the case at hand, Mediapost, a subsdiary of La Poste, acquires the distribution of leaflets business of Delta Diffusion. The market(s) The markets involved are the door-to-door distribution of commercial leaflets both at national and local level. Remedy The Minister notes (...)
2246
The operation The Minister cleared in phase II a merger between Boeing and Jeppesen subject to remedies. The markets The markets involved were the flight planning services, the flight operating services, the flight information services and the accessories. The relevant markets were defined (...)
1878
The operation In the case at hand, Vinci acquired the sole control of GTM, a Suez’ subsdiary. The market(s) The markets involved are the manufacture of road construction materials and the concessions of car parks. Remedy 1: Seller’s commitment Under the SPA concluded between Vinci and Suez, (...)
1817
The operation By the present transaction, Getinge will acquire the sole control of ALM. The market(s) The sector involved is the operating tables for surgical purposes. Remedy 1: Divestment Gettinge and ALM, are worldwide leaders in this market: they hold, respectively, the first and (...)
7450
The operation The Minister clears the acquisition of joint control by EDF and Vivendi Environement of certain Dalkia’ subsidiaries. The market(s) Electricity supply, cogeneration, facilities management. Remedy 1 Given the monopolistic position of EDF in the market for the supply of (...)
1690
The operation In this case, the Minister clears in phase I a merger by which Casino will acquire joint control of the Monoprix chain. The market(s) The relevant market has been defined as the markets for retailing daily consumer goods. Remedy: Divesture The Minister observed that (...)
7792
The operation Following the notification of the merger between Carrefour and Promodès, on 5 October 1999, the European Commission concluded, with regard to the supply market, that the operation was compatible with the Common Market, subject to the commitments given by Carrefour. At the French (...)
1723
The operation Acquisition of sole control of Fichet by Assa Abloy. The market(s) concerned by remedy(ies) Manufacturing and retail of locksmith hardware Remedy 1 In its opinion, the Competition council considered that, even if both parties operated well-known brands, competition concerns (...)
3474
The operation EDF and Cogema through their subsidiaries SDS and Tasys have acquired 45% of SRPG, a company that holds 67,39% of Clemessy. EDF is a French energy group active in all activities of the value chain including the supply of electricity in France. Clemessy is active in the supply of (...)
1965
The operation The French Minister of Economy cleared a concentration by which the group UBS Capital acquires sole control of Serse. The market(s) The market involved is the cash in transit services. Remedy 1: Divesture Post merger, the new entity will hold a dominant position in 13 local (...)
1590
The operation The concentration consists of a public take-over bid by TotalFina for all the shares in Elf Aquitaine held by the public. Both parties are active in the production of petroleum and gas, refining, distribution of petroleum products, petrochemicals and speciality chemicals. The (...)
2031
The operation In this case, the Minister cleared the acquisition of Meto by Checkpoint Systems Inc with remedy. Both companies are provider of electronic systems of anti-theft security including labelling solutions for article identification and security, barcode verifiers, theft-prevention (...)
2087
The operation By the present transaction, TCCC, a major brand owner and global supplier of soft drink including Coca-Cola notified the acquisition of the Orangina trademak. Following the negative opinion given by the French competition council, the merger was prohibited by the Minister. The (...)
2533
The operation By the present transaction, Decaux will acquire the sole control of Avenir. Both parties are active on the outdoor advertising market. The market(s) The markets are the supply of advertising posters at national and local level. Remedy 1: Bundling prohibition At the national (...)
1766
The operation Following the Commission’s decision of full referral, the French Minister of Economy authorised the creation of a joint venture between two companies active in the sale of de-icing salt subject to voluntary remedies. The markets concerned by remedies The market concerned by (...)
2362
The operation Fort James acquired the Demak’Up and Happy Bébé brands from the Procter & Gamble Company. The markets The sector involved is the manufacturing and marketing of cotton products. Remedy 1: Withdrawing the use of a trademark Post-merger, Fort James will have a market share of (...)
148903 Review
233
Three years after the introduction of the settlement procedure into the tools available to the Competition Authority, the Authority was able to witness the success and the very strong development of this procedure, with companies increasingly soliciting its application. Before the adoption of (...)
757
Interview réalisée par Mélanie Thill-Tayara, Associée, Dechert, Paris. Diplômé de l’Institut d’études politiques de Paris et de l’ENA, vous avez occupé plusieurs postes au sein de la DGCCRF, travaillé pour la Représentation permanente de la France auprès de l’Union européenne et, moins classique, avez (...)
5007
Depuis sa création en 2004, la revue Concurrences organise un colloque. Les thèmes abordés ont naturellement été variés : de l’adaptation du système français au règlement n° 1/2003 à la place de la concurrence dans le traité de Lisbonne en passant par les questions de banque et de finance et la réforme (...)
2749
Min. Éco, 17 février 2009, Bigard / Socopa, aff. C2008-100, BOCCRF n°2bis du 2 avril 2009 La dernière décision avec engagements rendue par le Ministre, avant le transfert de sa compétence à l’Autorité de la concurrence, aborde elle aussi, tout comme la décision Friesland/Campina de la Commission (...)
2509
Comm. CE, 17 décembre 2008, Friesland Foods / Campina, aff. COMP/M.5046 EC Comm., 17.12.08, Friesland Foods / Campina, case COMP/M.5046 La concentration entre Frieslands Food et Campinia, deux acteurs majeurs du secteur des produits laitiers aux Pays-Bas, conduisait à des additions de parts de (...)
3057
EC Comm., 14 August 2008, CASC JV, case COMP/M. 5154 L’opération consiste en la création d’une entreprise commune de plein exercice (full-function JV) entre huit opérateurs européens de systèmes de distribution d’électricité (TSO), dont RTE, opérateur du réseau de transmission électrique français. La (...)
5705
Loi n°2008-776 du 4 août 2008 de modernisation de l’économie, art. 96, JORF n°181 du 5 août 2008, p.12471 La loi n° 2008-776 du 4 août 2008 de modernisation de l’économie (dite loi LME) a réformé en profondeur le contrôle français des concentrations, en transférant les pouvoirs jusqu’alors dévolus au (...)
2962
Min. Eco., 4 avril 2008, Vivarte/Défi Mode, aff. C2008-04, BOCCRF n° 4 bis du 7 mai 2008 Min. Eco., 30 avril 2008, Vivarte/Super Sport, aff. C2008-16, BOCCRF n° 5 bis du 19 juin 2008 Par deux opérations distinctes, Vivarte, un distributeur de chaussures et de vêtements, qui détient notamment les (...)
3621
EC Comm., 27June 2007, Ryanair/Aer Lingus, case COMP/M. 4439 Ce n’est pas parce qu’une opération de concentration concerne deux transporteurs aériens à bas coûts qu’elle est forcément positive pour le consommateur ! Ce point a été rappelé par la Commissaire européenne à la concurrence, Neelie Kroes, lors (...)
3509
EC Comm., 17 October 2007, BAE Systems/VT/JV, case COMP/M. 4640 L’opération consistait en la création d’une entreprise commune (ShipCo) entre les deux derniers chantiers navals militaires britanniques aptes à concevoir et construire des bâtiments de surface, respectivement contrôlés par BAE et VT. (...)
3680
EC Comm., 30 January 2008, Ineos/Kerling, case COMP/M. 4734 La présente concentration entre deux producteurs de PVC, est une décision de phase II sans engagement. Même si les décisions de phase II donnent le plus souvent lieu à des engagements, et que les autorisations sans condition sont nettement (...)
4323
Cons. conc., avis n° 07-A-12 du 11 octobre 2007 relatif à la législation relative à l’équipement commercial Dans un avis du 11 octobre 2007, largement repris dans les premières conclusions de la Commission dite Attali pour la libération de la croissance française, le Conseil de la concurrence se (...)
4285
EC Comm., 5 July 2007, ENEL/ Acciona/ Endesa, case COMP/M. 4685 EC Comm., 6 August 2007, E.On/ Endesa Europa/ Viesgo, case COMP/M. 4672 Ces deux opérations, ENEL/ Acciona / Endesa suivie de E.ON/ Endesa Europa/ Viesgo, viennent clore le feuilleton Endesa. Rappelons qu’E.ON avait lancé une offre (...)
4004
Comm. CE, 4 juin 2007, TUI/First Choice, aff. COMP/M.4600 Comm. CE, 4 mai 2007, Karstadtquelle/My Travel, aff. COMP/M.4601 Les deux décisions TUI/First Choice (Comm. CE, 4 juin 2007, aff. COMP/M.4600) et KarstadtQuelle/MyTravel (Comm. CE, 4 mai 2007, aff. COMP/M.4610) sont intéressantes à au (...)
6963
To begin with, can you tell us something about your background? How did you “fall” into competition law? What are the differences, if any, between doing merger control within a national competition authority and at the European Commission? You actively participated in the 2003 debate on the (...)
4857
UK Competition Commission, 8 march 2007, Mid Kent Water / South East Water Cette chronique s’intéresse habituellement au droit français et communautaire. Nous proposons, une fois n’est pas coutume, une incursion de l’autre côté de la Manche pour examiner une décision (provisional findings) de la (...)
4050
Min. Éco., 28 septembre 2006, Ista / Celliande, aff. C2006-87, BOCCRF n° 8 ter du 22 novembre 2006 L’opération consistait en l’acquisition par Ista, contrôlée par CVC Capital Partners, de Celliande. Ces deux sociétés sont notamment actives dans le secteur du sous-comptage, qui consiste à mesurer la (...)
4713
EC. Comm., Draft Consolidated Jurisdictional Notice under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 on the control of concentrations between undertakings, for Public Consultation, 28 September 2006 Le 28 septembre 2006, la Commission européenne a lancé une consultation publique sur un projet (...)
3799
En dépit de parts de marché élevées, l’opération ne pose pas de problème, les parties proposant des produits éloignés et les concurrents disposant de capacités de production excédentaires pour contrer toute tentative de hausse des prix EC Comm., 23 May 2006, Orica / Dyno, case COMP/M.4151 La présente (...)
5279
EC Comm., 26 April 2006, T-Mobile Austria / Tele.ring, case COMP/M.3916 Cette décision de la Commission est intéressante à plusieurs titres : elle est fondée sur les effets unilatéraux, en l’absence de position dominante. À ce titre, elle pourrait constituer le premier gap case depuis l’adoption du (...)
4405
Vers une segmentation plus fine des marches de droits sportifs ? EC Comm., 20 March 2006, CVC / SLEC, case COMP/M.4066 L’opération consiste en l’acquisition par le fonds d’investissement CVC, qui possède Dorna, organisatrice de championnats de moto, de SLEC qui organise des courses automobiles, de (...)
4140
La Commission ouvre une procédure contre la Pologne dans le cadre d’une concentration dans le secteur bancaire EC Comm., 18 October 2005, Unicredito / HVB, case COMP/M. 3894 EC Comm., Press Release IP/06/277 and IP/06/276, 8 March 2006 Alors que l’on perçoit en Europe certaines tensions (...)
5001
La Commission européenne indique que le niveau des parts de marché n’est pas un indicateur pertinent en présence de produits différenciés Comm. CE, 24 janvier 2006, Adidas / Reebok, aff. COMP/M. 3942 La concentration entre Adidas et Reebok, dans le secteur des chaussures de sport, a donné lieu à une (...)
3920
La Commission européenne autorise sous conditions le rapprochement d’opérateurs de téléphonie mobile EC Comm., 10 January 2006, Telefonica / O2, case COMP/M. 4035 Deux principaux marchés sont affectés par cette concentration entre Telefonica, l’opérateur espagnol de télécommunications et O2, qui est (...)
4724
Engagements comportementaux et gains d’efficacité Min. Éco., 28 octobre 2005, Ouest-France / “Pôle Ouest” de la Socpresse, aff. C2005-18 Avant d’aborder le fond de cette affaire, qui, quelques mois après l’affaire Boiron/Dolisos (Min. Éco., 21 février 2005, aff. C2004-114, Concurrences, n° 4-2005, p. (...)
7747
1. La politique des aides d’État a connu un développement singulier, un peu à l’écart des autres branches de la politique communautaire de la concurrence. Certes, les différents articles du traité relatifs au droit de la concurrence ont une origine commune : la volonté allemande, au cours des années (...)
3955
Effets coordonnés anticoncurrentiels résultant du système des conférences maritimes EC Comm., 29 July 2005, Maersk/PONL, case COMP/M.3829 La décision autorisant sous conditions l’acquisition de P&O Nedloyd (PONL), n° 4 mondial du transport maritime de ligne, par Maersk, leader mondial, est (...)
4182
Création d’une entreprise commune qui ne sera pas active sur le territoire français Min. Éco., 25 mai 2005, TF1 / France Télévisions / CFII, aff. C2005-23 La création de la chaîne française d’information internationale (CFII) a été autorisée sans condition le 25 mai 2005. La constitution de cette (...)
4772
La Commission européenne autorise une concentration dans le secteur de la défense et procède à une réévaluation de la définition des marchés pertinents dans le secteur Comm. CE, 28 avril 2005, Alcatel/Finmeccanica/Alcatel Alenia Space & Telespazio, aff. COMP/M.3680 Par la création de deux (...)
4278
Charge de la preuve et engagements comportementaux ECJ, 15 February 2005, Commission v. Tetra Laval BV, case C-12/03 P Par une décision du 30 octobre 2001 (aff. COMP/M.2416), la Commission interdisait la concentration entre Tetra Laval et Sidel, dans le secteur des emballages, en plastique ou (...)
4676
* L’auteur a été responsable du Bureau des concentrations à la Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes, de février 2002 à juillet 2004. L’opinion ici présentée est exprimée à titre personnel et ne saurait engager son ancienne Direction ni l’institution à (...)
3931
EC Comm., 26 October 2004, Oracle/Peoplesoft, case COMP/M.3216 US District Court for the Northern District of California, 9 September 2004, USA v. Oracle Corporation Le 9 juin 2003, Oracle annonce une OPA hostile sur son concurrent Peoplesoft. Cette affaire à rebondissements a été close, en ce (...)
4597
Engagements : Un « up-front buyer » permet de garantir la viabilité des actifs cédés et de favoriser une nouvelle entrée sur le marché EC Comm., 6 October 2004, Sonoco / Ahlstrom / JV, case COMP/M.3431 Sonoco et Ahlstrom, toutes deux actives dans le secteur des mandrins (cores : tubes de carton (...)
4348
Engagements dans une affaire ayant donné lieu à une dérogation à l’obligation de suspension Min. Éco., 2 septembre 2004, Charles André / Citaix, aff. C2004-85 Cette opération, dans le secteur du transport de matières dangereuses (produits pétroliers), donnait lieu à de substantielles additions de parts (...)
4025
Proportionnalité des engagements en droit français: Des engagements qui lèvent l’ensemble des « doutes » liés à une opération sont recevables en première phase Min. Éco., 2 août 2004, General Electric / Invision, aff. C2004-098 L’acquisition de la société Invision, active dans les secteurs de détection (...)
4140
L’article 21-4 du Règlement (CE) n° 139/2004 confère à la Commission un pouvoir de décision pour protéger sa compétence exclusive vis-à-vis des Etats membres ECJ, 22 June 2004, Portugal v. Commission, case C-42/01 Rappelons tout d’abord l’équilibre de l’article 21 du Règlement concentrations. La (...)
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